KE_Regional Risk, Audit and Compliance Director-Africa Region

Position Title
Regional Risk, Audit and Compliance Director - Africa Region

Reports To
Regional Representative – Africa Region

Supervises
Senior Manager Information Security, Senior Manager Program Integrity

Department
Administration

Team
Regional

Job Location:
Nairobi, Kenya (or another CWS regional office in Africa)

Grade Level
10 National

Primary Purpose
The Regional Risk and Compliance Director will be responsible for ensuring effective implementation of internal policies, donor regulations, and applicable national laws while proactively and collaboratively identifying and mitigating operational, financial, reputational, and regulatory risks. The position holder will act as a strategic advisor to the Regional Representative in strengthening the governance framework and enabling responsible, compliant, and efficient program at CWS Africa. S/he will collaboratively develop, analyze, and support implementation of systems, processes and controls that enhance CWS operational efficiency. Additionally, this role is to perform and/or support financial, operational, programmatic, system and process audits of the organization's functions, and to report on the adequacy, or otherwise, of the internal controls and risk management as a safeguarding to CWS Africa mission. This role involves filling identified financial management and operational gaps, supporting Country Offices in responding to audit findings, developing, and delivering tailored training programs on compliance, and conduct forensic audits or investigations as assigned.

Key Relationships
Internal to CWS

• Regional Representative
• CWS and RSC Africa Leadership Team members
• Departmental Heads
• HQ Risk and Compliance unit

External

• Legal Service providers
• External auditors

Working Environment : Office environment with periodic travel to the field as may be required.

Responsibilities
Leadership and Capacity Building (25%)

• Championing a strong culture of integrity, compliance, and accountability across the region.
• Leading the design and implementation of a regional compliance and risk capacity-building plan that equips staff at all levels with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to proactively manage risk and uphold compliance standards.
• Embedding compliance knowledge and risk awareness into everyday business operations through regular engagements, practical tools, job aids, and refreshers that are tailored to the operational context.
• Promoting a learning culture by leveraging audit findings and compliance reviews as coaching opportunities, not just correctional exercises.
• Engaging with Country and Regional Leadership on financial management and audit follow-up.
• Providing leadership across the full spectrum of risk and compliance.
• Conducting strategic situational analyses and benchmarking against best practices.
• Developing and integrate an enterprise risk management strategy within the organizational strategy.
• Establishing and communicating clear expectations to staff to foster a predictable and consistent work environment.
• Collaborating with management to improve internal control mechanisms as needed.
• Serving as a liaison with global audit, legal, and risk and compliance functions as appropriate.

Audits, Investigations and Reviews (30%)

• Conducting compliance assessments, analyzing results, and recommending improvements.
• Developing and managing auditing plans using the risk-based methodology as appropriate.
• Carrying out internal audit plans and special projects, reporting periodically on progress and findings.
• Analyzing financial and operational data, prepare reports, and recommend remedial actions.
• Implementing the internal annual audit plan, as approved, including, as appropriate, any special tasks or projects requested by management, and report periodically on the status and results of the audit plan.
• Reviewing internal control systems and recommend improvements to safeguard assets.
• Liaising with external auditors as appropriate, to ensure comprehensive audit coverage
• Leading and/or supporting fraud and possible misconduct investigations.
• Carrying out value for money audits and assess resource and process efficiency and make recommendations.
• Analyzing compliance with industry regulations, internal policies, donor requirements and make recommendations.
• Updating compliance records and follow up on implementation of internal and external audit recommendations.
• Tracking reported organization violations and the responses and plans regarding these allegations
• Updating compliance records and follow up on implementation of internal and external audit recommendations.
• Compiling reports on the results of external and internal audits and presenting these reports to the relevant supervisors and department heads
• Contributing to policy and procedure reviews ensuring alignment with legal and donor requirements.
• Maintaining a strong compliance reputation through proactive and transparent audit work.
• Briefing management on auditing findings and reports.
• Accepting ownership of new auditing initiatives and enhancing the compliance department's reputation and effectiveness.

Risk Management and Reporting (30%)

• Working with other members of the CWS Africa Leadership Team to identify strategic gaps that may give rise to future risks.
• Advising CWS Africa leadership and department staff on internal controls and risk mitigation actions, both solicited and unsolicited.
• Analyzing potential risks within the organization and its practices to avoid possible non-compliance issues.
• Providing strategic advice on risk management implementation, measurement, and best practices.
• Leading operational risk assessments and maintaining a current risk register.
• Following up with management on actions taken to address the risks identified.
• Testing control weaknesses identified through audits and help remediate gaps.
• Supporting Country Offices and departments in strengthening administrative, operational, and financial practices.
• Working with all operations units of the Country Office or RSC to document areas requiring enhancement, beyond solely financial management.
• Tracking legal and regulatory developments across countries (e.g., tax, labor laws, data protection, immigration).
• Ensuring donor compliance and maintain alignment with CWS Africa's strategic and legal framework.
• Maintaining an up-to-date issues log and report on risk and compliance metrics to senior leadership.
• Maintaining an up-to-date issues log and action or follow up on all outstanding issues until they are closed.
• Preparing and presenting regular risk management reports to the senior Management.
• Staying informed on external threats to the organization and proposing control measures.

Additional Responsibilities (5%)

• Executing special projects and other duties as assigned by CWS/RSC Africa Leadership.
• Escalating issues as needed to colleagues.

Qualifications
Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Auditing, Compliance, Business Administration, or related field is required.
• Master's degree in business administration, finance, accounting or related field is preferred.
• Professional certification (e.g., CPA, ACCA, CIA, CFE) with a good standing is required.
• A minimum of ten (10) years' professional work experience in accounting, finance, auditing or related field is required.
• A minimum of five (5) years of direct supervisory or management experience required.
• Proven experience in fraud investigations and forensic audits, especially within international NGOs required.
• US Government (USG) funding and compliance experience required.
• Proven ability to identify and mitigate financial risks and ensure donor and legal compliance.
• Strong organizational and management skills, with particular attention to detail
• Computer literacy, with a strong emphasis on Microsoft Suite.

Skills And Abilities

• The ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and manage multiple projects concurrently.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to effectively liaise with diverse stakeholders and deliver training sessions.
• Strong analytical abilities and attention to detail, essential for conducting forensic audits and investigations.
• Comprehensive understanding of financial regulations, compliance standards, and anti-fraud measures.
• Exercise good judgement and seek guidance as appropriate when confronted with unanticipated problems.
• Maintain a high-performance standard with attention to detail, completing tasks within set timeframes.
• Actively participate in the implementation of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP).
• Analyze and solve complex problems and make sound decisions.
• Maintain the integrity of official records.

Important Requirements

• Strong English communication skills, both written and oral.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and willingness to support CWS' Platform on Racial Justice a s a CWS employee required.
• Remain alert and responsive to any child safeguarding and PSEAH (Prevention of Sexual, Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment) risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills which will enable you to promote strong safeguarding PSEAH practices, understand the child safeguarding and PSEAH Policies and procedures, and conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the Child Safeguarding and PSEAH Policies.

Special Requirements

• The candidate should be of good health, willing and able to travel extensively in often difficult conditions and have a high degree of flexibility.
• Must have proof of Yellow Fever vaccination before traveling for CWS Africa
• This position requires the use of a laptop at all times, competence in Microsoft office packages is required.
• This position may require extensive travel in sub-Saharan Africa on short notice and under sometimes difficult conditions to meet demands of a dynamic operational program.
• Background check which includes references, and an educational and criminal check is required before the start of employment.
• A valid passport and the ability to maintain a valid passport throughout the entire appointment is required, which includes having enough passport pages for travel.
• Environmental: Incumbents in this position may be exposed to excessive noise, marked changes in temperature and/or humidity, dust and infectious diseases, harsh weather climates, long work hours, bumpy roads, extended travel, excessive sun exposure, and non-ventilated spaces.
• This position is Full Time.
• All employees should be prepared to work from the CWS office within their location of hire. Remote work arrangements may vary depending on location and the governing regulations based on prevailing context.

Overview
About Church World Service (CWS):
Church World Service (CWS) is a not-for-profit, faith-based organization transforming communities around the globe through just and sustainable solutions to hunger, poverty, displacement, and disaster. CWS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, genetic information, age, disability, or veteran status in employment or in the provision of services.